Director: Rich Moore
Now that Valentines Day is over, let the reviews pouring down in! I may be a bit late on the Wreck-it-Ralph hype, but seeing as it is nominated for best animation movie, I thought I'd put my two cents in. I've seen all five nominated films, and while I'm leaning towards Frankenweenie to take home the prize, Wreck-it-Ralph was the funnest to see out of all four (Pirates! gunning in a close second). Wreck-it-Ralph joins the ranks of the game-based movies that have been plaguing the screen for some time. However, unlike the other movies that are just pure sheer explosion, Wreck-it-Ralph became a movie gem. While it may not be the game of my generation (I have heard of it though), it manages to bring a sense of nostalgia while stepping out of its screen (exploring other game worlds).
We all know how the game Fix-It Felix Jr. works. Ralph (the bad guy) wrecks the doors and windows, and Felix repairs it with his magical hammer. This movie borders on the premise that the arcade comes to life after hours, and Ralph doesn't want to be the bad guy anymore. At his quest to be a hero (and therefore to be considered as 'good'), he meets Vanellope at a racing game, with problems at her own. While they work together to overcome their problems, there were more things brewing over the arcade world that meets the eye.
I like how the animators took into consideration the movement of the characters. Although it's not evident to Ralph, Felix and the apartment residents show sign of game movements, most especially Felix. Speaking of Felix, I didn't know he was being played by Jack McBrayer; I loved him as Kenneth in 30 Rock. Also, he had the funniest lines, as he is the comic relief to the movie. I also liked how Sarah Silverman played Vanellope. She was able to fit her voicing to Vanellope's character, which pretty much sold me to the glitch. Same goes for Jane Lynch as Calhoun. John C. Reilly may have been a bit of a miscast for the role, but still, Ralph was great.
Wreck-it-Ralph managed to explore three different worlds, with a variety of characters. It is pretty obvious that it was made for kids: there was so much color in Sugar Rush. What makes the movie a gem is that it wasn't all about Ralph. On the way on proving himself that he's good, he turns to the person he wants to be. His good deeds were evident, yet his effects were subtle. I don't think he knew he could use his wrecking abilities for good; it was something that was innate in him.
While it had the right doze of crazy, it didn't bring anything new, as there are factors that are familiar from other movies. It also has an underlying message, but the biggest climax of the film only grazed through it; it didn't leave a mark as opposed to the other Academy contenders. Wreck-it-Ralph is a fun movie; it's colorful, there's animation adrenaline and it only doesn't speak for children, but for those who are familiar with the game. Hey, the arcade isn't the same anymore, and this is a way of bringing some memories back from the past.
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